Top Consultant Neurologist, Michael Gross, MA MD FRCP recently spurred the ‘Samson’ team on by giving the Centre his seal of approval. He said of the project:
"The Samson Centre represents the culmination of a great deal of work by a small number of people who wanted to enhance a facility for people with MS in the Guildford area. This will be a remarkable achievement and many individuals will benefit from the new centre when it opens. This development shows that where there is enough intent then hard work will be rewarded in spite of an ever-increasing financial burden on the average person."
This is real encouragement and as Dr. Gross observes:
"Initiatives like the Samson Centre should allow more people to optimise their performance, increase the quality of life, experience for longer the activities of able-bodied people and hopefully lead to less functional handicap. I wish all the organisers and users of the facility every good fortune in the future."
We would like to extend a big ‘Thank you’ to Dr. Gross for his support. With backing like this, we know we’re on the right track!
Elizabeth Gradwell is an MS Clinical Practitioner (Surrey PCT, Guildford and Waverley locality) who has recently started working with the Samson Centre’s users. Here’s what she has to say about the centre:
"As the local MS Clinical practitioner supporting MS patients, I find the Samson Centre an excellent local resource. It provides essential physiotherapy, gym and complementary medicine facilities which promote independence, well being and maintain mobility.
The Samson Centre supports all people affected by MS in a very professional knowledgeable and caring way. It is always a pleasure to drop by, be welcomed and to feel the positive buzz about the place."
The Samson Centre supports all people affected by MS in a very professional knowledgeable and caring way. It is always a pleasure to drop by, be welcomed and to feel the positive buzz about the place."
She also provided this feedback from an anonymous patient:
"I am very happy to be included in the exercise classes provided and find these, together with the friendly atmosphere created, to be of great benefit."
Claire Hubbard joined the Samson Team in 2007 as the personal trainer/gym instructor, having trained at Farnborough College of Technology in ‘Sports and Leisure’ teaching exercise to music. She says of the centre:
"My main love is ballet and dance, which I learnt for many years, and I'm now trying to incorporate the basics of posture and balance within the gym and members' exercise routines.
I've already seen great improvements, both mental and physical, in members as a result of their exercising in the gym, and have heard some great feedback, such as:
‘I feel more energetic.’
‘I was shocked that I was able to do it!’
The Samson Centre carries a fantastic buzz of positivity and determination from members and the Samson team……it's a wonderful place to be!!!"
I've already seen great improvements, both mental and physical, in members as a result of their exercising in the gym, and have heard some great feedback, such as:
‘I feel more energetic.’
‘I was shocked that I was able to do it!’
The Samson Centre carries a fantastic buzz of positivity and determination from members and the Samson team……it's a wonderful place to be!!!"
Fleur Crowther-Smith became a member of the MSTG(G) in 1996 and served on the committee from 1997 to 2005.
"My intro to the MSTG 11 years ago was very different from that experienced by a new member now: membership cost £5.00 p.a., and we met once a week for physio on the floor of Shalford Village Hall. Our physio, Helen, used to turn up laden with a shopping basket from which she extracted her diary and a few books – there was little in the way of physio equipment, as there was nowhere to store it at the Village Hall. Evening meetings of the MSTG were spent at the Challengers Club in Guildford – I remember listening to guest speakers while sitting uncomfortably on tiny chairs meant for children!
What a difference the Samson Centre has made! It really has transformed the group and its activities: we are now able to offer members physio on a one-to-one basis or in formal group sessions, depending on their level of disability, on several days a week. We now have a wealth of physio equipment, such as a proper physio couch, an exercise bike, a standing frame, exercise balls and weights, with storage for it all on site (no more shopping baskets!). Social activities include coffee mornings in which old, new and prospective members can get to know each other better (sadly, the Group now has a waiting list). Administration of the group is now on a more professional footing, with an admin office at the centre run by a rota of job-sharing staff, equipped with the Group’s own internet-enabled computer.
I believe that everyone associated with the Samson Centre should feel extremely proud – taking it from vision to reality has been an incredible achievement, and the fact that we in the Group now have our own place is something we should all cherish."
What a difference the Samson Centre has made! It really has transformed the group and its activities: we are now able to offer members physio on a one-to-one basis or in formal group sessions, depending on their level of disability, on several days a week. We now have a wealth of physio equipment, such as a proper physio couch, an exercise bike, a standing frame, exercise balls and weights, with storage for it all on site (no more shopping baskets!). Social activities include coffee mornings in which old, new and prospective members can get to know each other better (sadly, the Group now has a waiting list). Administration of the group is now on a more professional footing, with an admin office at the centre run by a rota of job-sharing staff, equipped with the Group’s own internet-enabled computer.
I believe that everyone associated with the Samson Centre should feel extremely proud – taking it from vision to reality has been an incredible achievement, and the fact that we in the Group now have our own place is something we should all cherish."
Mary Fardell joined the group in the late 90s, and is another who has seen great changes since the Shalford Village Hall days. This is what the new Centre means to her:
"The Samson Centre is a great place to get help dealing with the effects of having M.S.
First of all, I acknowledge the great vision to provide such a Centre, and secondly the work involved in obtaining funds for a new build. Thirdly, the help given by volunteers, both paid and unpaid.
I’m still ‘gob-smacked’ 4 years later from the start to nearly being finished – it’s just plain inspiring.
We have 4 great physios, dealing with whatever type of physiotherapy you need, a fitness instructor to help in the gym, a powered bike to increase the mobility in your arms and legs, and a standing machine. After 14 years in a wheelchair, it’s such a boost to stand unaided.
There are talks and entertainments too, refreshments, and – despite the level of disability – moments of humour."
First of all, I acknowledge the great vision to provide such a Centre, and secondly the work involved in obtaining funds for a new build. Thirdly, the help given by volunteers, both paid and unpaid.
I’m still ‘gob-smacked’ 4 years later from the start to nearly being finished – it’s just plain inspiring.
We have 4 great physios, dealing with whatever type of physiotherapy you need, a fitness instructor to help in the gym, a powered bike to increase the mobility in your arms and legs, and a standing machine. After 14 years in a wheelchair, it’s such a boost to stand unaided.
There are talks and entertainments too, refreshments, and – despite the level of disability – moments of humour."